Biologist Doubts Asian Carp Are In Lake Huron

An invasive species biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources says a report of Environmental DNA evidence of Asian Carp in Lake Huron is not accurate.

Saugeen Shores Councillor Matt Smith claims he had been told by an MNR staff member that there was eDNA evidence of Asian Carp in the lake. But Smith says they don’t have any evidence that any Asian Carp are established in Lake Huron.

He says a single sterile Grass Carp was captured in the lake this past summer, but they are not a concern.

It’s the Big Head Carp and the Silver Carp that are the biggest threat. They devour organism that form the base of the aquatic food chain.

“While Grass Carp is an Invasive Species it would have negative impact on the Great Lakes if it were to invade and become established”, Smith explains. “The species that are of greatest concern are the Big Head Carp and the Silver Carp which eat phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are organisms that form the base of the aquatic food chain.”

He adds eDNA from an Asian Carp has not been detected in Lake Huron for several years.